One of South County’s pastors had a very productive period of
writing last year.
One of South County’s pastors had a very productive period of writing last year.
The Rev. Edd Breeden, of the San Martin Presbyterian Church, co-authored one book and wrote several others on his own as he attempted to help readers deal with important aspects of their lives.
Breeden, a graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and Fuller Seminary, has spent 27 years as a pastoral counselor. In “Unmasked and Loved” (Vantage Press, $11.95) he has collaborated with Zelpha Blyth-Persson, a veteran mental health professional, to produce a book very relevant to today’s society.
The authors state that “on 9/11 our complacent world was given a terrible wound.” Their book explores the role of “peer counselors in this new age of anxiety.”
Peer counseling describes a way of learning to actively listen and support another person/friend who is in challenging circumstances and needs someone to share the experience. “Unmasked and Loved” refers to “leaving familiar ground and stepping out into a new place.” The first part of the book deals with skills and practices of an effective peer counselor such as communication, connection, active listening and conflict resolution.
The remainder discusses some of the issues a peer counselor might deal with, things like anger, rage, depression, loss and grieving.
Everyone knows people who are suffering and could use a trusted companion to accompany them on their emotional journeys. This book will give readers “the tools to help themselves and others learn the joy of being free, unique, and loved.” It is available at Book Smart in Morgan Hill and The Wize Owl in Gilroy, as well as online at www.amazon.com.
Breeden also has authored a series of shorter books on various self-help topics, two of them religious.
“Discipleship” begins by defining “Disciple” as a learner or pupil. He uses this concept to discuss the life-long process of
becoming “spiritually mature.”
Part one focuses on loving God. Suggestions are provided for enhancing study of the Bible, like keeping a journal while reading, studying with others and buying a commentary. He points out the goal isn’t an academic knowledge of the book but using it as a means to know Jesus “that you might have eternal life.”
Other sections deal with increasing fellowship with other Christians, enhancing time spent in worship, developing awareness of God in prayer, developing generosity in sharing resources with others and serving the needs of neighbors. Following the practical suggestions presented here will help the reader truly become a disciple of Jesus.
“70 Ways to Find Another Extra $5 Every Month” applies the principle of self-help to the field of finances, an area Breeden knows well from his years as a financial consultant for Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney.
The book focuses on “how to use what you have in a way that you will have extra to do the things you want to do (invest, save and give away) without jeopardizing your current lifestyle.”
If the reader can take 20 of the ideas presented and put them into practice, there will be an extra $100 per month to use for something besides “living expenses.” One key is establishing a “Money Jar,” a temporary place to put the savings until it totals enough to deposit into a financial account for accumulating money.
“Discipleship,” “70 Ways” and “Prayer” (and other titles in this series) are all available for purchase online at www.breeden.us.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
